Meaning and Lyrics of Welcome To The Boomtown by David & David

“Welcome to the Boomtown” by David & David is one of those hidden gems from the ’80s that, despite its passing under many a radar, serves as a scathing social commentary wrapped in engaging melodies and somber lyrics. On the surface, it presents itself as a snapshot of the excesses and decay lurking beneath the glossy exterior of late 20th-century urban prosperity. Dive deeper, and you’ll find a lamentation of the American Dream gone awry, cast against the backdrop of a city teetering on the edge of moral bankruptcy.

The opening verse introduces us to Miss Cristina, a woman who symbolizes affluence and material success. “Miss Cristina drives a 944 / Satisfaction oozes from her pores,” David & David write, establishing her as a character whose wealth is instantly recognizable. The Porsche 944 is not just a car; it’s a status symbol, a shorthand for ‘I’ve made it.’ Yet, there’s a duality here: her satisfaction is superficial, effectively masking deeper insecurities highlighted by the defensive stance she takes, “She keeps rings on her fingers / Marble on her floor / Cocaine in her dresser / Bars on her doors.” The luxurious lifestyle is juxtaposed with a *prison-like* paranoia. Her “back against the wall” is a physical and metaphorical position of constant vigilance, emphasizing the cost of her so-called success.

The chorus, a bitterly ironic toast, “So I say, I say welcome / Welcome to the boomtown / Pick a habit / We got plenty to go around,” encapsulates the song’s essence. It’s a sardonic celebration of a place where wealth abounds, but so do the vices. The repetition of “Pick a habit” suggests a buffet of self-destruction, confirming that everyone partakes in something—be it drugs, materialism, or escapism—to cope with the pressures of this urban utopia gone sour. The sound of money is described as making “such a succulent sound,” an alluring auditory symbol that underscores the seductive yet destructive power of wealth.

Next, we meet Handsome Kevin, another archetype of the boomtown’s underbelly. “Handsome Kevin / Got a little off track / Took a year off from college / And he never went back.” Kevin’s fall from grace is both swift and tragic. His story is a cautionary tale of potential squandered, a life derailed by indulgence. Smoking “much too much” and dealing drugs out of a Denny’s, Kevin’s life is now an open secret, operating on the fringes (“He always listens to low ground”). The ‘low ground’ here resonates with the notion of being in the shadows, the moral lowlands of society where the hopeful dreams of higher education have morphed into the grim reality of survival.

The third verse delivers a gut-punch: “Well, the ambulance arrived too late / I guess she didn’t want to wait.” It’s a chilling line that shifts the narrative from gritty realism to outright tragedy. The implicit overdose or suicide underscores the ultimate consequence of the boomtown’s illusory glamor, shedding light on the desperation lying beneath the surface glamour.

What makes “Welcome to the Boomtown” compelling isn’t just its lyrical potency but also its musical composition. The arrangement is evocative yet understated, allowing the narrative to shine. The synths aren’t as prominent as one might expect from an ’80s track, but their subtle presence adds a layer of melancholy that suits the song’s themes perfectly. The bluesy guitar riffs add a gritty texture, enhancing the mood of disillusionment. There’s a sense of timelessness to the track, which seems to echo the malaise of any era where the facade of prosperity hides deeper societal issues.

In essence, David & David crafted a haunting tableau of urban existence in “Welcome to the Boomtown.” The song speaks to the disjunction between wealth and happiness, highlighting how the quest for material success often leads to moral and spiritual decay. It’s a dark, cautionary tale wrapped in smooth, almost deceptively inviting production, urging listeners to look beyond the surface—to see the bars on the doors as much as the marble on the floor.